Friday, 6 January 2017

January 6, 2017 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

We have recently experienced the Winter Solstice with the longest night of the year, then Christmas, and New Year’s, and today (January 6) is traditionally known as Epiphany, commemorating the visit of the Magi to the Holy family.

Epiphany signifies an illumination.

But in our lives today what illumination do we need?

In a way, we have too much illumination of different varieties.

We are surrounded by too many artificial lights which blur the line between day and night, extending our waking hours.

We have too much information coming at us from all sides and in multiple formats, that attempts to enlighten us on anything and everything under the sun (and beyond the sun!).

If anything, we need less illumination and more darkness.

Humans used to live closer to nature and its cycles, and unfortunately, particularly with the advent of the Industrial Revolution and subsequent discoveries and technological advances, we’ve lost touch with that vital aspect of our lives.

We want to go-go-go and be constantly on like the sun, never resting, never pausing, never slowing down. We try working longer and longerhours without breaks for meals, movement or just to rest. We cram so much into our days to try to extend them as long as we can. If it was possible, some would like the day to last longer than a mere 24 hours.

But we’re not designed to race around endlessly like the Energizer Bunny. We’re designed to wax and wane like the phases of the moon, and cycle like our day/night and the seasons.

Our bodies are more energetic at certain times of the day, and we naturally require rest at other times. We function best on cycles of 30 - 90 minutes. We naturally want to slow down when the weather gets colder and the days get darker, and be more energetic when the sun is shining.

This new year, instead of doing more, decide to do less and give yourself a chance to rest. The greatest growth and activity in nature always follows the darkness and rest of winter, and so it is with us too.